Piano lessons have resumed at Logwood Village after both instruments were tuned recently. Playing the piano is a major part of the residents’ ongoing therapy, one such resident being Natalie Cost.
Cost is a level-two piano player after achieving 98% in her written exam. She began playing the piano when she was still in school. ”I had a teacher that used to teach me to play. At some point I grew out of it and then I left school. When I came to Logwood I didn’t play at all until Elaine Learmonth started teaching me how to play all over again.”
She remarked that playing the piano interests her and keeps her occupied. “I stay out of mischief,” she smiled. Unfortunately she hasn’t tickled the ivories since 2019 when the country went into lockdown, but before that Natalie practised twice a week.
Elaine, volunteer piano teacher explained that they practise with one hand, then the other and finally combine the two. “Natalie finds it quite difficult to combine the two hands, and she also finds some of the scales, sharps and flats confusing on the one hand and not the other, but we are getting there.”
Natalie said her favourite song to play is Itsy bitsy spider. “I know it off by heart,” she beamed. She hasn’t taken part in any competitions but she said she plans to begin competing next year. “I am a little bit nervous. Once I get used to not being nervous then I will be fine. Elaine wants me to do RACA (Randfontein Arts and Culture Association) Eisteddfod next year. Once I improve on my piano we will see from there.”
When she is not behind the keys, she enjoys ten-pin bowling, and they have tournaments. “We get trophies and certificates. I am sure this year we will have tournaments,” she added.
Elaine said she started working with Natalie in 2018 and she picked up playing quite easily because she had played the piano before. “She’s very shy and she takes everything to heart, so if she gets something wrong …” Natalie interjected “I get emotional”. Elaine encourages her by reminding her that making mistakes is part of the process and completely normal. She added, “The pianos have been here for years but they had never been tuned so Natalie has been playing on an unturned piano. It’s very difficult to teach someone on an unturned piano. Fortunately, Sunset Bistro came to our aid and sponsored to have the pianos tuned for us. Chantall and Dave Mann really came to our assistance.”
